THE PASTOR’S DESK- NOVEMBER 2016

During October the prime emphasis of ministry in the church has been upon “The Heart of a Servant” Last Sunday the assembly was exhorted to really take hold of the command Jesus gave to his disciples in Matthew.28:18-20, “GO NOW INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND MAKE DISCIPLES————” THE TIME HAS ARRIVED WHEN THE CHURCH, THAT IS THE MEMBERS NEED TO SHOW THEMSELVES TO THE UNSAVED!

1.Kings.18:1. Now it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “GO, SHOW YOURSELF UNTO AHAB, AND I WILL SEND RAIN UPON THE EARTH”

Israel had been experiencing severe drought and famine for the previous three and a half years, Luke.4:25, James.5:17. God in His sovereignty had brought this upon them due to the fallen spiritual condition of the nation who through the bad influence of Jezebel, king Ahab’s wicked foreign wife, and his weak leadership had turned away from the Lord to follow other gods and idols.

Now God issues instructions to His servant, the Prophet Elijah, it is time to bring the nation back to Himself, through repentance.

ELIJAH!“GO SHOW YOURSELF” this is what you have been prepared and saved for.

Church! Now it is time to literally “SHOW OURSELVES” to the many lost, troubled souls living all around us. We have an example to follow Jesus, who in His ministry revels there are many ways to lead someone to faith in Him.

“LEADING SOMEONE TO FAITH IN CHRIST”

Unfortunately there is a tendency to make what should be a simple process of leading someone to saving faith in Jesus Christ difficult or complicated. The best course of action is to keep the message or challenge you are trying to make as simple as possible.

Jesus is a perfect example to follow, he would first build a relationship with the person he was talking to before He explained the need for a personal faith in God through Himself. John.4:4-30 & 39-42, the effect upon the woman at the well of Samaria is profoundly striking, there so many concepts of truth revealed in this particular incident.

a. Jesus had a burden to “SHOW HIMSELF” in SAMARIA. Where there was a woman in desperate circumstances her life was a totally dysfunctional disaster. The salvation of this woman would have the positive effect upon many others.

b. Jesus was alone when He initially spoke to the woman.

c. He is unconcerned about her race or background, her soul was more important than anything else.

d. Jesus quietly and gently reveals her true need in her life.

e. Jesus exercised the Word of Knowledge – revealing all nothing was hidden from Him.

f.She try’s to side-step the real issue by introducing her way of

belief.

g. Jesus quickly corrects her, it’s not where you worship, it’s who you worship that matters. v.23-24

h. Lastly He reveals that He is the Messiah, who is calling her into faith in Him.

i.Woman is converted and immediately became an evangelist to those in her local community. The effect of revelation by the Holy Spirit concerning her past life, has had tremendous impact upon her and shortly after those where she lived.

John.3:1-21. Jesus and Nicodemus, now the Lord uses a totally different method, Nicodemus is a highly educated Pharisee (The separated ones) a community leader, seeking JESUS at night so as not to be seen with Him.

a. Jesus pulls no punches, immediately told this man “he must be born again” v.3-7.

c. v.14-15. With this educated Jewish man, Jesus refers to O.T. Scripture to further Illuninate the truth of God’s love and sacrifice.

These two illustrations quoted are intended to teach believers, that there are several ways or methods that may be used to introduce someone to faith in Jesus Christ.

Acts.2:14-40. Peter became the first mass meeting evangelist, the thrust of his message to the crowd, was to tell them the account of their rejection of Christ, His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Allwith the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who convicts many of their sins bringing many to personal conviction and salvation.

v.38. “Repent!Be Baptized! Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” a simple appeal that brought 3000 souls into the Kingdom of God.

Acts.8:26-40. Phillip is led by the Holy Spirit to minister to the Ethiopian Eunuch, who accepts The Lord, and is immediately baptized by the roadside.

This man held a high position in the court of Candace queen of Ethiopia, so without doubt we can assume he was traveling with a strong escort of retainers, consequently these would have witnessed the salvation of the Eunuch and may have possibly accepted the Lord, or been influenced to do so.

The important point to note in this account is that Philip, obeyed the instructions given to him by faith, when initially directed he has no knowledge that he has a divine appointment with this Eunuch, to bring him to personal salvation in Christ. Always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who may well be leading you to someone in need to be “born again” into the Kingdom of God.

“LESSONS CONCERNING EVANGELISM”

a.Pray asking the Lord to show you whom to speak to and when!

b.Build a relationship/friendship if possible prior to speaking about the need for salvation.

c.Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

d.Make sure our own lives are a testimony. Acts.1:8

e.Keep the message simple.

f.Do not ask anyone to immediately to join your church, if asked about church then tell them where and when you go to church.

g. If you have led someone to JESUS, keep in touch regularly, most new converts relate strongly to the person who introduced them to CHRIST.

h. Be flexible and patient when witnessing, people’s needs vary.

Evangelism is more than leading a soul to CHRIST, it also involves showing them the way forward to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and His Church.

“BASIC SCRIPTURES THAT CAN BE USED”

Isaiah. 53:6. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity (sin) of us all”

John.3:16.“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”

Romans.3:23.”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Romans.6:23.”For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

1.John.5:4-5.”For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it

that overcomes the world? Only he/she who believes that JESUS is the Son of God”

Note:- John.3:3 & 7. Can also be used in regard to being “BORN AGAIN”

Personally I have frequently used a combination of the above and Romans.10:8-13.

Never get too complicated! Also don’t get into arguments about scripture, theology or criticism of the church – such as they only want my money etc.

Quietly say, never mind about all that, what is important is the condition of your soul? DO NOT GET SIDE-TRACKED!